Sub $1500 1st AR: Mid-length or Carbine?

[Dollar An Hour]

I want reliability, even with steel-cased ammo, and something that covers the gamut from plinker / range gun to SHTF.

Is a mid-length the best all-around AR? I realize carbine gas systems seem to be a lot more popular.

There aren't a whole lot of middys to choose from, but here are a couple nice ones I'm considering:

1) Sabre Defence
2) CMMG

In carbines, either a LMT or Colt 6920 seems like a solid choice. Really, in a carbine, is there any reason NOT to get a Colt?

 

[dispatch55126]

If your comfortable enough, build your own. You can built a great rifle for $700 which would leave you $800 for ammo and mags.

 

[Eric F]

I think......and I am no authority but again I think some of the colts are not " milspec" any one have more info on this?

 

[variablebinary]

LMT, Sabre and Colt are all outstanding duty class weapons. It's true the middy has some advantages over carbine, but it isnt anything to lose sleep over.

Middy looks better for sure.

 

[JWarren]

Doesnt' Del-Ton have a middy kit as well?


-- John

 

[dispatch55126]

Yep. I purchased one and it'll be here this week. Look for pics on:

So Much For Restraint

 

[JWarren]

grats dispatch!

I built a Del-ton a few months ago and am very pleased with the results. I did a carbine gas-system, however.


-- John

 

[DnPRK]

Mid length were created to solve the reliability issues caused by using certain ammo loads in carbines.

Frankly, if SHTF is a real concern, get a 20" rifle. They are most tolerant of different ammo loads and provide a longer sight radius.

 

[dispatch55126]

I was going to get the 20" but decided I'd get that for my A1 build. Likewise, I couldn't see getting a carbine with a fixed stock.

Since no one directly answered your question:

full length - 20" barrel, best accuracy, least "urban" manuverable (A1 or A2)
mid length - 16" barrel with longer gas system and handguards (hybrid design)
carbine - 16" barrel with shorter handguards and gas system (M4gery)

 

[JWarren]

Frankly, if SHTF is a real concern, get a 20" rifle. They are most tolerant of different ammo loads and provide a longer sight radius.

True about the loads. I did want to mention that my M4-gery has the same sight radius as a Rifle. I went with a "Dissapator-ish" rifle-- low gas block and rifle-length forearm. The sight is at the end of the forearm. Theoretically, it has its on set of problems, but it works for me since my irons are BUIS only.


-- John

 

[Dollar An Hour]

I'm thinking mid-length as it should offer near rifle length reliability with the quicker-handling 16" barrel.

I can get a Sabre for $1K, and I haven't really heard anything negative about their middy.

 

[railroader]

I built a del-ton mid length kit and I'm extremely happy with it. Ordered with a chrome lined barrel and a detachable carry handle. With a double star lower the rifle came out to be around $750. It is accurate and eats any ammo I put through it including barnaul and wolf. I just helped my buddy build a del-ton middy and it runs the same way. http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt104.htm Mark

 

[dispatch55126]

railroader-

I'm building mire using that upper. Have you have any problems with steel cased ammo?

 

[vzenmn]

I built the exact same middy as Railroader exept I got a fixed A2 upper. Cost me 659 dollars plus change if you don't count the 6 used surplus mags for 7 dollars each and 35 dollar CAA pistol grip I installed last week.

Its accurate and and eats Wolf and Monarch like candy. The only problems I had was two stovepipes with PMC Bronze the first time I shot the carbine and one pierced primer with wolf. I think they were both ammo related.

 

[basicblur]

Did a lot of research in preparation for the AWB expiration with more of an eye on accuracy/function/lack of problems (instead of extreme abuse) and most folks (target shooting) seemed to like either the Colt or RRA.
As soon as the AWB expired, I ordered an RRA LE Tactical CAR for under $1,000 (they don’t seem to have gone up much in price). I remember they all came with a two-stage national match trigger, and I added the national match rear site and a carry handle attached to the flattop rail.

While I didn’t spend too much time on the extreme abuse area AFA my selection, I see the DEA picked RRA to provide their new fighting rifle in 2004, and according to the article I read 11 companies provided samples for the first test and only 4 progressed to the “Endurance/Functional Reliability” test. The way I’m reading the article (http://www.rockriverarms.com/images/pdfs/gm_oct04.pdf), it sounds like it was narrowed down to 2 (RRA and ?) before RRA was selected.

Now I ain't about to get into an argument 'bout which is "the best", but after reading all the articles I could find (where somebody actually tested the thing!) it sounds like you could do a lot worse than RRA for a lot more money!

Oh yeah...please don't try to get too cheap and build your own with parts from X number of vendors, then complain when it doesn't meet expectations! :banghead:
I've seen way too many posts along those lines!

 

[Mr_Ouija]

I spent $1250 on my latest build including the EOTech 512. Its a Stag 2HT upper on a Spikes lower w/ Tango Down pistol grip and Magpul CTR stock.

 

[Eb1]

Don't know about sub 1500 dollars. I built mine last year for under 520 dollars. CMMG Lower/Used A2 Stock/Used HBAR 20 Colt upper and barrel w/carry handle.

 

[Templar]

Colt 6920 and be done with it. I use laquered steel cased Barnaul in mine for classes, but it eats everything and asks for more.

You never hear someone who bought a 6920 say "I really wish I'd bought a CMMG or a Bushmaster!"

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I suggest you research any accessories you want to make sure they come in mid-length configuration.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Colt 6920 and be done with it. I use laquered steel cased Barnaul in mine for classes, but it eats everything and asks for more.

Thanks Tim... So you think if I pick up a 6920 I'll forget all about wanting a mid-length?

 

[Templar]

Mid-lengths are great in theory, but, especially in civillian use (non full auto), the standard carbine length rifles that Colt has put out have been working fine for decades.

If you want more rail real estate than what a carbine length gives you, you can get an extended rail system from Daniel Defense.

Vickers with his 6920 and DD rail:

 

[Z-Michigan]

Why do you want to spend so much on a 1st AR? You can get many great AR's for well under $1000. Bushmaster, Armalite and RRA are just three I could recommend. It's not hard to find a good AR these days.

I have all three gas system lengths, and all work fine, but I do think the mid-length is significantly better with a 16" barrel than the M4 length. Though all three rifles are now reliable, the M4gery upper was not reliable until some significant break-in and fiddling with various cleaning and lubing procedures. The mid-length (an Armalite, who I think pioneered that length) has always been completely reliable.

However, I would second the suggestion to also consider a 20" standard length upper. A 39-40" overall length rifle is still not all that long.

 

[gtmerkley]

Bushmaster the worlds most popular ar15/m16 used in over 50 countries.